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pegasus
12-25-2006, 17:43
Well, I read a *rumour* on blog that President Bush had signed the bill.
It took me 3 hours to find a newspaper that published an article.
I hope this is correct, because the status on the library of congress doesn't reflect executive signature.

Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_4876210)

Washington - Legislation first proposed by U.S. Rep. John Salazar making it a crime to falsely claim the right to carry any military decoration or medal became law Wednesday with President Bush's signature.

"This day has been a long time in coming," said Salazar, D-Manassa. "The brave men and women who have earned awards for service to our country should not have those honors tarnished by frauds."

Salazar, a Vietnam War veteran, authored a bill he called the Stolen Valor Act at the urging of Colorado State University at Pueblo student Pam Sterner. She wrote a school paper about the lack of a law prohibiting anything other than the false wearing of a war medal.

Under the new law, anyone who falsely claims to be a decorated military veteran can be punished with up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The penalties are double for a claim involving the Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star or Purple Heart.

Policy Analysis (http://www.house.gov/salazar/docs/Pam%20Sterner%20Policy%20Analysis.pdf)

Library of Congress (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.03352:)

Intel_Airman
12-27-2006, 03:44
Hasn't any other major publication covered this yet?

pegasus
12-27-2006, 12:57
This was supposedly signed Dec 20th. I haven't searched today, but I had a very hard time finding anything the other day. The Senator's website wasn't even updated. Nothing was listed under WhiteHouse.gov. Plenty about the tax bill though. I would have thought there would have been a picture from the Oval office with the POTUS signing this.

Dan
12-27-2006, 14:12
I subscribe to a weekly email from the White House. In the emails there are various news items and things like this listed with links to the items of interest. President Bush did sign this into law on 20 Dec 06.

Bill Number S.1998:

11/10/2005- Introduced in Senate
9/7/2006- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
9/7/2006- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
12/6/2006- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
12/20/2006- Signed by President.
12/20/2006- Became Public Law No: 109-437

Version 4 from this link was signed: thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.1998:

pegasus
12-27-2006, 14:28
Thanks Dan.

Gypsy
12-27-2006, 18:21
Fox News had a small blurb on it the other day, I'd have liked to see this get more airplay.